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A couple of weeks ago, Michelle Plato asked what would happen if government agencies transformed their IT from cost centers into “cost-saving centers”:

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) is pioneering new forms of IT transformation. … Carlos Ramos, the CIO of California, develop[ed] a vision to improve IT efficiency, by consolidating systems and adopting shared services. … The hope was to cut IT expenses, while increasing service levels. The vision struck a chord with Tim Garza, IT Director of the CNRA.… Garza’s solution? Cloud. … As a result, [the CNRA] increased storage capacity by 300%, while shrinking the physical footprint by 30%. Simultaneously, it’s sped up service delivery by 70%, slashed capital expenses by 42%, and even trimmed operational expenses by 35%.[resourceful IT]

Got a PR problem? Mike Elgan brings this master-class from the experts at Apple:

For some time now, the Chinese state-owned media has been out to get Apple. [In] the most recent attack…China’s state-owned TV giant, China Central Television…ran a news story saying that iPhones are a threat to Chinese national security.… In the case of each and every attack, [Apple] responded with classic Wing Chun—a Chinese martial art that uses an opponent’s momentum against him. … Instead of fighting back, disagreeing with critics, pointing out errors in the claims of critics—all the things people do when their reputations are attacked—Apple re-framed the conversation. … In all cases, PR disasters were turned into PR victories. In the end, Apple looked better than it had before.[chant in the springtime]

Highly personal data is being captured and stored in the cloud. The culprit? Fitness activity trackers. More and more people are jumping onto this craze. … I should know: I’m one of them.… Whether you’ve athletic ambitions or simply want to measure footsteps and sleep patterns, these self-monitors are generating lots of motivating data. … And where there’s data, there’s an app.… With all that activity data generated and sitting in the cloud, we should ask the question, where is it stored? … What happens when—not if—the ability to track activity expands into vital statistics such as my blood pressure, dietary intake, or alcohol level? … You’ll need to be comfortable with what data gets collected, and where it’s stored—in whose cloud.[jog on]

Do you want to inspire innovation? Do you need to plan for disruption? David Amerland suggests 5 great ways to do just that:

The Ford production line was the result of a visit to a Chicago slaughterhouse. … The seed of the idea for Netflix came from a Blockbuster charge for returning a video late. … These are two classic industry-disruptive moments. In both cases, they happened because someone applied ‘inspired’ thinking to a problem, analyzing it in a new way. … A cognitive leap that enabled a person’s experience in one particular setting to be taken into a new setting, where it could suddenly flourish and mutate.… Creative thinking and innovation actually can be planned. To change the existing corporate environment, here are five steps you’ll need.[leap to it]

In the first of a three-part series, Emma Byrne asks, “Is Your CIO Burning Cash?”

Your CIO holds some of the longest levers when it comes to maximizing ROI [but] your CIO might not be pulling their weight when it comes to cost optimization.… We’re seeing a “cautious” return to investment in IT services. But this means that cost optimization is more important than ever. … So CIOs must be ever value-vigilant when placing those hard-won dollars, to make their spend sustainable.[stay tuned for parts 2&3]

It’s the greatest career move you can make. But fair warning: Sales isn’t for everyone.… Sales isn’t for the lazy. … Sales isn’t for the selfish.… If you’re good at it—like my dad—you get to set your own schedule. But if you’re mediocre, it’s a grind, because it’s hard work. [But] how exciting is that? Every day you get to show your worth.[do you have the stomach for it?]

The most under-rated article in July came from David Amerland, who offers some great tips on becoming more smart and nimble in business:

In the 21st century, every business wants the same two things: Intelligence in decision-making, and the agility to reposition itself in the marketplace. … This makes them responsive to market needs, sensitive to customer requirements, and hyper-aware of friction in their operations and user experience.… Here are 5 important rules for tomorrow’s business.[let me count the ways]

And finally, here’s Zoë Goodacre’s most popular item of Friday flash-fiction, from her inspirational “100 Words Into The Future” series:

People around the world come together for World Peace Day. The celebrants of a happy future all chorus their thanks to The Global Authority, for ending all wars.… The atmosphere in Afya’s neighborhood is jubilant—fellow citizens laughing and cheering. But she’s utterly nauseated…[find out why—the reason will shock you!]

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